Like the SmartPool SunHeater in-ground solar pool heater, the SunHeater above-ground solar heater is a panel-based solar heater system designed to raise the water temperature of your outdoor pool by up to ten degrees. Just as with other solar pool heaters, the SunHeater above-ground solar heater is a relatively inexpensive way to increase the length of your swimming season, and to warm the water in unseasonably cool weather.

The SunHeater above-ground solar pool heater uses a series of tubes and solar panels, connected to your existing pool pump, to warm the pool water using the power of the sun. The water is pumped into a series of tubes warmed by “solar panels”, then pumped back into the pool. These are not true solar panels in that they are not solar photovoltaic panels; rather, as most solar pool heaters do, they use carbon black to absorb the sunlight. In this sense, the solar panels used both by SunHeater and other solar pool heaters could be considered more of a passive solar system.

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Installation and Specifications

Both the SunHeater in-ground and above-ground solar pool heaters are designed to by DIY installation, but user reviews state that the installation is trickier than it first appears. Once the system is installed, however, most customers are generally happy with the value the solar pool heater provides. To heat a pool of up to 40 square feet, most SunHeater above-ground solar heaters cost around $110, depending upon the retailer.

To heat pools from 40 to 80 square feet, expect to pay closer to $200 or even as high as $250. The solar heater quickly pays for itself; solar pool heaters cost an average of $30 – $75 per month, depending upon the size of the pool. Traditional pool heaters cost more than double that because of the cost of powering the heat pump or paying for natural gas or propane.

The solar panels themselves take up a fair bit of room. These can be installed on your roof, or on your pool house roof. Some users install the panels right on the ground near the pool, but other users complain that this method tends to burn their lawn. One clever user had a fence with southern exposure, and hung the solar panels from the fence.

The Bottom Line

Like the SunHeater for in-ground pools, many users complain of cheap tubing and panels that tend to degrade over time. The other problem of all solar panel-based solar heaters is the sheer amount of space that the panels take up, and the rather unaesthetic look this leaves the owner with. Besides these two complaints, though, the SunHeater is generally appreciated by most customers.

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SmartPool manufactures an above-ground and an in-ground version of the SunHeater, its solar pool heater. Like most other solar pool heaters, the SunHeater works by routing water from within the pool through a series of tubes that pick up heat from the sun. Then the sun-warmed water is returned to the pool, increasing the pool’s overall temperature.

In general, the in-ground version of the SunHeater will raise the temperature of the pool by as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit. With a five-year limited warranty, easy DIY installation, and an opportunity to save money throughout the pool season, the in-ground SunHeater is a pretty good value. Depending upon the vendor, the base price for a SunHeater kit is about $220 – $300. However, keep in mind that the final price could be much higher if you have a particularly large pool.

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Sizing and Installing the SunHeater In-Ground

Here is the recommended sizing by SmartPool for installing an in-ground SunHeater system:

• 15′ x 30′ pool size: 2 Solar Boxes
• 16′ x 36′ pool size: 3 Solar Boxes
• 20′ x 40′ pool size: 4 Solar Boxes
• Each pool also requires a System Kit, but only one, regardless of the pool size
• If you wish your pool to provide year-round swimming, add an additional Solar Box to the recommendation above

As previously mentioned, installation of the SunHeater is meant to be DIY, but some users have complained that SmartPool’s manual isn’t nearly as user-friendly as they claim. Once it’s up and running, however, most users agree that the product does what it says it does. In other words, it saves money, extends the swimming season, and raises the water temperature of the pool by as much as ten degrees.

Complaints About the SunHeater

Besides being tricky to install, the SunHeater solar heater for in-ground pools is a pretty large contraption. Its final assembled size is 140 lbs. (meant to be installed on your roof or shed), with a size of 21′ x 24′ and 3 inches deep. Many users find the large size a drawback, as they don’t want a contraption of that size resting on their roof all summer long.

Another complaint users mention is that the rubber hosing is ironically not UV resistant. As a result, the tubing tends to crack and leak over time.

The Bottom Line

Overall, the SunHeater in-ground solar pool heater provides a good value. While it does seem to have a few design flaws, most users will save money in the long run when compared to a traditional electric or gas heater for their outdoor, in-ground pool.

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In business continuously since 1969, FAFCO Solar Water Heating has been making solar heating systems for pools longer than anyone else in the United States. As such, it should come as no surprise that the FAFCO solar heaters for in-ground and above-ground pools are of excellent quality.

For above-ground pools, FAFCO’s product is called the Solar Bear system. There are three levels to the Solar Bear system: Solar Bear Plus System, Solar Bear Economy System, and the Solar Bear “Jr.” Disc. According to FAFCO, all the Solar Bear systems can be installed by the user in 30 minutes or less.

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Solar Bear Plus System

Designed to raise the temperature of an 18′ to 24′ round pool by about 10 degrees Fahrenheit, the Solar Bear Plus System comes with a 4′ x 20′ pre-plumbed panel, two 6′ flexible hoses, and an installation tool. If your pool is larger than 24′ in any direction, you will need more than one Solar Bear panel to heat the pool; contact the manufacturer or a pool equipment retailer to help you size your system.

Unlike some other solar heating systems, the Solar Bear systems include a bypass valve that allows you to turn off the system when the pool reaches its desired level of heat. With other products, such as the EZ Heat Basic solar pool heater, the system always runs as long as the pool pump runs – there is no way to turn off the system without turning off the pump.

The Solar Bear Plus also uses a FlexFlo Valve that automatically determines the water flow, allowing the maximum sunlight exposure.

Solar Bear Economy

The Solar Bear Economy system is exactly what it sounds like: a less expensive, less extensive version of their standard Solar Bear panels. It still has the manual bypass allowing the system to be turned on and off, but the hoses and clamps are sold separately by the retailer. The economy version also lacks the FlexFlo Valve, meaning that your pool will take longer to heat with this model.

Solar Bear “Jr.” Disc

The Solar Bear “Jr.” is a small system designed for smaller pools. It will not be able to heat a pool in the 18′ range and over, but is a great option for someone with a small above-ground pool who doesn’t have space for large solar panels.

All three of these systems are backed by a ten year warranty, but in the case of the economy version, this is a pro-rated warranty – be sure to read the fine print.

The Bottom Line

FAFCO makes good products. Even though the Solar Bear systems are a little more expensive than their competitors’ products (the Solar Bear Plus starts at around $250), the extra money provides you with extra peace of mind and the value you can expect from an industry leader.

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As one of the products manufactured by FAFCO, the nation’s oldest manufacturer of solar heat collectors, the SunGrabber system comes with a credible background. Unlike other solar pool heaters in its class, which promise to raise pool temperatures up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, the SunGrabber system claims that it will raise water temperature by at least 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

A SunGrabber system can significantly reduce the costs associated with heating your pool, reducing fossil fuel usage by as much as 50%. This is a pretty good bargain, when you consider the total system costs only about $150. While this is more expensive than some products, it’s still less expensive than others.

However, at this low price, don’t expect the SunGrabber to be able to heat a pool more than 16′ round pool. For owners of small pools, this is a great product. For owners of larger pools, you should consult the SunGrabber sizing chart on their website before making a purchase, or consider a different solar pool heating system.

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Economy and Deluxe Versions

Not unlike the SunHeater and EZ Heat systems, the SunGrabber uses “solar panels” to collect heat from the sun, using your pool’s water pump to pump cold water into the system and warm water back into the pool.

The economy system has a 2′ x 20′ solar collector designed for above-ground pools looking for a little bit of extra heat and extended swimming season. The deluxe system includes two or more of these 2′ x 20′ collectors. In both cases, a diverter valve is not included – these must be purchased separately, meaning that the system runs whenever the pool pump operates.

The Bottom Line

There’s nothing unique or special about the SunGrabber solar heater system – it operates in virtually the exact same way as SunHeater, EZ Heat, and other systems of comparable price and results. It provides a good service for a good price, and comes with the FAFCO name attached, a respected industry leader in solar water heating and solar pool heating.

Like other solar pool heaters, SunGrabber will definitely be a less expensive way to extend your pool’s swimming season than an electric-powered or gas-powered pool heating system. Typically, the cost of a solar pool heating system is only the cost of the pool pump itself, which hovers between $30 and $75 per month to run. However, the SunGrabber is not particularly better than other products: generally it is no better and no worse than similar products in its class.

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AquaQuik stands out amongst other solar pool heaters, because it’s one of the few panel-free solar pool heaters. Unlike a product like SmartPool’s SunHeater systems, which take up a huge amount of space, the AquaQuik system takes up only a few square feet. For users who don’t want to cover their roof or their lawn with unsightly panels, the AquaQuik solar pool heater is a unique alternative.

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Furthermore, sizing the AquaQuik is easy: it’s virtually one-size-fits-all. For a pool size of up to 15,000 gallons, just one AquaQuik unit is needed. However, for larger pools, you can hook up two or three of the units in tandem – though users complain this is not as easy to do as the manufacturer suggests.

The price of the AquaQuik is also right. Less expensive than other solar pool heaters, you can expect to pay a little less than $200 for a new AquaQuik, depending upon the retailer.

Pros and Cons of the AquaQuik Solar Pool Heater

Most users of the AquaQuik give it a favorable rating. The one common complaint, however, is that linking multiple units together in order to increase the overall heat, the speed of heating the pool, or for a larger volume pool is not easy.

Virtually every online reviewer who linked more than one unit together reported a leak or break, including one user who claimed the leak almost led to a destroyed pool pump.

Despite this apparent design flaw, the majority of people with only one AquaQuik state that the AquaQuik does indeed noticeably raise pool temperature, even in colder climates such as Chicago and northern New Jersey. Over the course of running the heater for a week or more, users reported high temperature increases, taking pool temperatures from the 60s to the upper 70s.

The Bottom Line on the AquaQuik

If you have a pool that’s larger than the 15,000 gallons that the AquaQuik serves, don’t be tempted by buying multiple AquaQuiks and hooking them together; instead, choose a different solar pool heater.

However, for owners of smaller, above-ground pools, the AquaQuik provides an excellent value. Best of all, the maintenance and aesthetics of the AquaQuik are far better than the majority of other products. Although anyone used to a gas or electric pool heater will find the AquaQuik painfully slow, the model will definitely save you a bundle of money in the long-run, and will do what it claims to do, even if it takes longer than what you’re used to.

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In the Swim is a pool supply company that sells its items primarily online, through its own website and places such as Amazon.com. In addition to selling pool chemicals, pool lines, and pool equipment, In the Swim produces a line of solar pool covers that are generally well-received by its customers. Here’s a closer look.

Technical Details

In the Swim solar blankets come in a variety of thicknesses and sizes. The thinnest solar blanket is a 5-mil blanket, which ranges in size from a 12′ round pool to 30′ x 60′ rectangular pool. The thickest solar blanket is a 16-mil blanket, which also fits anything from a 12′ round pool to a 30′ x 60′ rectangular pool.

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Each solar pool cover is designed to raise the water temperature of the pool by both capturing natural light and by insulating the pool, preventing existing heat from escaping. Unfortunately, In the Swim’s website doesn’t provide specific temperature-raising facts for each pool blanket. Despite the significant difference in thickness between a 5-mil cover and a 16-mil cover, both products’ pages claim a 10 to 15 degree temperature increase.

Installation and Sizing

One benefit of the In the Swim solar pool cover products is the wide range of sizes. Regardless of the size or shape of your pool, you should be able to find a pool cover that matches. Reels must be purchased separately.

Maintenance

The only complaint from owners of In the Swim solar pool covers is that the solar bubbles tend to shed after a few years of use. This is a fairly normal complaint about solar pool covers in general. Although they are built to absorb sunlight, the sun also wears them out over time. Some customers report that the thinner solar pool covers are more likely to tear and wear out more rapidly than the thicker covers.

Models

As previously mentioned, the solar pool covers by In the Swim differ mostly only in size and thickness. Thicknesses available include: 5-mil, 8-mil, 12-mil, and 16-mil. The two thinner blankets come with a three-year warranty; the two thicker blankets come with a 7-year warranty.

The Bottom Line

Overall, In the Swim’s solar pool covers are well-received by their customers. Most online reviews for the products are positive. The pros listed by users include the relatively inexpensive price, along with the effectiveness of the product to raise pool temperature.

The negative reviews generally center around two complaints: the longevity of the pool cover and the ease of use. For longevity, more than one customer complained that the pool cover began to break down after a few years of use. As for ease of use, several customers report handling the cover to be awkward.

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Calsplash is a California company that is an authorized dealer of swimming pool products from Intex, Heritage Pools, and Summer Escapes. They sell several different pool filter pumps through their own website and through other online venues, such as Amazon.com.

Technical Details

A pool stays clean and usable in dependence upon a good pump and filter. Big public pools use complex pool and filter systems, but small pools at home can use a filter pump, which combines the filter and pump features into one easy-to-use unit. Calsplash sells several of these pool filter pumps, manufactured by various companies.

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Installation and Use

All of the pool filter pumps that Calsplash sells are remarkably easy to use. Unlike complex pool pump and filter systems, these pumps basically work by plugging in a hose and then turning it on.

The important point in choosing a pool pump is to decide on the right size. Calsplash’s pool pumps range in size from 530 gallon pools to 4000 gallon pools. Based on customer reviews of these products, it is a good idea to get a pump that is a little bit larger than what you think you actually need.

Maintenance

Most of the filter pumps sold by Calsplash have flush valves that allow for easy emptying of accumulated sediment and dirt at the bottom of the filter cartridge chamber. When users empty the sediment on a regular basis and change the filter cartridge per the manufacturer’s instructions, the lifespan of the pump filter will be greatly increased. Most models also include a release valve for any trapped air.

Models

The pool filter pump models sold by Calsplash include Intex, Summer Escapes, and Heritage. Each pump brand is available in different sizes, with different features and different horsepower, as well. Speak to a Calsplash representative to find out how to choose the right size for your pool.

The Bottom Line

The Summer Escapes pool filter pumps receive mixed reviews from their users. Some complain that the pumps are simply poorly designed and break easily; on the other hand, other owners of the Summer Escapes pool filter pumps were quite pleased with their purchase.

The Intex pool filter pumps receive more consistent praise; the only significant complaint is its tendency to leak. As for Heritage, customers are generally luke-warm towards the product, with very few rave reviews. Overall, it seems that if you decide to purchase a pool filter pump from Calsplash, Intex should be your first choice.

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One of the best things about Hayward Pool Products is that Hayward has been offering all kinds of pool equipment for over forty years. Far from a fly-by-night company, Hayward is in the business to stay, and their products generally show it.

Technical Details

Hayward offers a variety of both pumps and filters. They divide their pumps into three classes: high performance pumps, which include the TriStar and NorthStar lines of pumps; medium head pumps, including the Super Pump and Max-Flo pumps; and the booster pump, a supplementary pump meant to increase the efficiency of cleaning systems and water circulation.

The filters offered by Hayward are the industry standards of sand filters, cartridge filters, and dichotomous earth (DE) filters. Sand filters require the strongest pumps, because they need a high water flow rate to work properly. They are the most popular types of filter on the market today. DE and cartridge filters, on the other hand, are actually adversely affected when the pump is too strong. Be sure to take this under consideration when choosing a pool filter / pump from Hayward.

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Installation and Use

Unlike some of the other pool equipment companies, Hayward’s website has a great wealth of information to help you to size your pool filter / pump and install it. This information takes the guesswork out of the installation and use of the Hayward pool filter / pump.

Maintenance

The routine maintenance for Hayward’s pool filtration and pump systems is fairly easy. When these maintenance steps are taken, the Hayward products tend to have a long lifespan. The vast majority of user reviews prove the Hayward filter / pump systems to be popular with customers and long lasting.

Models

Pool pumps:

TriStar – including TriStar Energy Solution and TriStar Waterfall
NorthStar
Super II
Super Pump
Max-Flo I and II
Booster Pump

Pool filters:

Sand Filters: Pro Series and S200 Series
Cartridge Filters: SwimClear and Star-Clear systems
DE Filters: Pro-Grid and Perflex systems

The Bottom Line

It’s hard to find many negative comments about Hayward’s pool filters and pool pumps. Most users seem very pleased with their purchase, especially commenting on the high-quality manufacturing of the American-made products.

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Intex designs everything from above ground pools to swim gear and air mattresses, and quite a few other things in between. Their filter pumps, like their other products, are generally well-received by consumers, but there are a few exceptions.

Technical Details

Intex makes three pool filter pump combos – the 2,500 gallon per hour filter pump, the 2,000 gallon per hour filter pump for saltwater systems, and the 4,000 gallon per hour filter pump. Each of them work with Intex pools and other pools as water filtration and sanitation systems. Overall, it seems that most customers prefer the larger, 4,000 gallon per hour model for its higher capacity and efficiency.

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Installation and Use

With a novel-sized installation manual and a large number of attachments, one might think that the Intex filter pumps are quite difficult to put together and use. However, it is actually surprisingly easy to set up. One note is that the Intex filter pumps are sized perfectly for Intex pools, but not all pools are the same exact sizes. Therefore, if you don’t have an Intex pool but choose an Intex filter pump system, you might consider working with your local pool equipment store to determine how to size your filter pump. Programming the pump can also be a bit of a pain if you’re not particularly tech-savvy.

Maintenance

One of the advantages to the Intex filter pump systems is that the filters don’t generally require the purchase of additional chemicals, such as pH balancer, chlorine, etc. In just one package, all of these chemicals are included.

Intex also has a decent reputation for customer service; one customer stated that a short, five minute phone call with friendly, helpful reps was all it took to replace the filter-pump that seemed to be breaking after only six months. Only four days after the initial phone call, the customer reported receiving a brand new, working pump.

Models

As aforementioned, the Intex filter pump systems come in 2,500 gph, 4,000 gph, and 2,000 gph (for saltwater) speeds.

The Bottom Line

Most reviews for Intex filter pumps are quite positive. In general, customers report that the product works as advertised and runs quietly.

However, not all customers have glowing reviews to offer to Intex. Common complaints include Intex products that break down sooner than expected. One oft-repeated comment is that the pump loses significant water pressure after only a few months. Other complaints surround the vacuum function, stating that the suction is not strong enough to keep the pool clean.

In all, Intex filter pumps offer an economical choice for pool filtration and cleaning, but it is safe to say that it is not the most reliable brand on the market today.

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Aqua Klean filters for spas and pools have received some very mixed reviews from their users. Take a look below to learn more.

Technical Details

According to LA Spas, a Los Angeles area hot tub retailer, Aqua Klean is an innovative, economically efficient filtration system that costs only about half what a normal filter costs. It does not use a bypass, and filters approximately 150 gallons of water per minute. When a bypass is used, as much as 70% of the water can bypass the filtration system; an Aqua Klean filter forces all of the water through the filtration system, leaving the pool or hot tub much cleaner.

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Installation and Use

Installation, however, is where some of the problems for the Aqua Klean begins. Some customers have reported difficulties keeping the filters on the intake canisters. In essence, the Aqua Klean filters use bands – something like a fancy rubber band – to keep the filters onto the intake canisters. When these bands break or fall off, the filter also falls off. Damaged filters are expensive to replace, and even healthy Aqua Klean filters don’t last especially long. At $15 to $40 for each filter, replacing Aqua Klean filters gets quite expensive, quite quickly. Although resellers of Aqua Klean state that they will last for a year, don’t count on that estimate.

Maintenance

However, if tricky installation and short life span was the only problem the Aqua Klean filtration system faced, the product would still have enough “pros” to outweigh the “cons”. Maintenance of the Aqua Klean filter is where the system really breaks down.

Ironically, Aqua Klean is supposed to solve the problem of filter maintenance. With just a little bleach, the filter can be placed into the washing machine on the gentle cycle and easily cleaned. That is, it can be easily cleaned in theory. In practice, many consumers find the maintenance aspect of these filters too much. For example, in the first two weeks of the filter’s life, it should be run through the washing machine at least every other day. After that, the filter should be cleaned once per week. Many consumers find this amount of maintenance to be too excessive for a simple filter.

The Bottom Line

Unfortunately for LA Spas and Aqua Klean, the filters do not receive many glowing reviews from customers. Many complain that the filters are more difficult to maintain than they were told, and others find that the durability leaves much to be desired.

On the other hand, some customers say that throwing a filter into a washing machine is really not much to ask, and that on the whole they like the Aqua Klean filters better than other filters they have tried.

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